Last Tears

Chapter 17

"Whoever said that loss gets easier with time was a liar. Here's what really happens: The spaces between the times you miss them grow longer. Then, when you do remember to miss them again, it's still with a stabbing pain to the heart. And you have guilt.

Guilt because it's been too long since you missed them last."

― Kristin O'Donnell Tubb, The 13th Sign

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"Red is such a cliché color for a wedding ceremony" I argued with Aisha and Afra whose voice was coming through the speakerphone.

"It's the classic thing" Afra argued

"Exactly" Aisha conceded, "So what you're saying is you won't wear red if you're getting married?" she stared at me like I had a second head

I stopped folding the cloth I was handling. Aisha and I were sitting on our bed and I was arranging a new set of clothes to take back to the house tomorrow when Afra called and the three of us began to chat.

"But you're so fair and red will be perfect! Just...no!" Afra complained "You have to wear a red dress. Even if it's just for the dinner or something"

I shook my head before replying the two of them, "I'm not the one who needs to bother about her wedding dress. You two can wear whatever you want when your time comes. I'm past that" I said smiling at Aisha as I stuffed the veil into my Duffel bag.

"Ya Maheen..." Afra interrupted the comment Aisha had for my indirect declaration of never getting married again.

"Yes?"

"When are you coming back tomorrow?" she asked each word separately

"Why do you sound like that?" I frowned

"Like what?" she said her tone suddenly normal

"Like you were reading... never mind" I waved my hand, "I'll leave home by 4pm I think. After I pray Asr"

"Okay. Cool" she said. I left her and Aisha to continue chit chatting about whatever; partially because I had other things to pack and mostly because I didn't want the topic of marriage to be brought up again. It seemed like all I faced wherever I turned.

I smiled from where I knelt in front of my small bookcase as I heard Aisha and Afra rant on. They had become very close; and true to Afra's words; it was like we were sisters; with me being the eldest and sanest, Afra the middle and craziest child and Aisha the last and second member on the crazy train. I realized then I was getting books from my own case for Akram.

Why exactly I was doing that I had no idea. Yet I stuffed the three novels in my bag and zipped it up.

XXX

"You ready to leave?" My mum asked

I said the last of my supplications before answering her, "Yeah, I'll just hail a cab outside"

"No need" Aisha smiled, "Your ride is here"

"My ride?" I asked as I folded the prayer mat in half and then in quarter before keeping it aside then walking out of the room after Aisha who hadn't given me a reply. I got my answer when I saw Akram sitting on our living room coach for the second time within the span of seven days.

"Hi" he smiled at me

"What are you doing here?" I asked. it seemed to be the only thing I could think to ask whenever he came.

"He came to talk to me" My mum supplied as she sat on a couch

"About what?!" I panicked

"Maama asked me to inform your mom about our travel details. To see if she's okay with it" Akram informed with an amused smile playing on his lips.